DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis dominate in Kings' rout of Spurs

On December 6, 2024, the Sacramento Kings faced off against the San Antonio Spurs in a high-scoring NBA game at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Kings emerged victorious with a final score of 140-113, marking a notable victory for the team and extending the Spurs' losing streak to three games. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 23 points, while Domantas Sabonis contributed significantly with 22 points and 16 rebounds, further showcasing his dual-threat capability as a scorer and rebounder. The game began with an early advantage for San Antonio, as they held a 13-point lead at one point during the first half. However, the Kings turned the tide with an impressive performance, finishing the first half with a 50-27 run that set them up for a strong lead by halftime, 69-59. De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk also made substantial contributions, each scoring 22 points, highlighting a well-rounded offensive effort from the Kings. San Antonio's roster was affected by injuries, particularly the absence of their star rookie, Victor Wembanyama, who was sidelined due to a sore lower back. Wembanyama participated in a pregame workout but ultimately could not play, resulting in missed opportunities for the Spurs to regain their footing in the game. Additionally, guard Devin Vassell was kept out for injury management related to a bruised knee, further depleting San Antonio's lineup on the second night of a back-to-back schedule. Despite the loss, rookie Julian Champagnie had a standout performance for the Spurs, scoring 30 points, which included six three-pointers, both of which were career-highs for him. Chris Paul contributed heavily with 11 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds, finding ways to create opportunities for his teammates. However, the game's outcome meant that the Spurs had allowed over 100 points by the end of the third quarter for the second game in a row. The Spurs' struggles continued, having lost four out of their last five games. With their defeat, the Kings looked ahead to their next matchup against the Utah Jazz, while the Spurs prepared to host the New Orleans Pelicans in their following game.